We copied this verse a couple of days back for Bible Time. This verse was written by King David, who grew up as a shepherd boy, caring for his father's sheep. But actually, we were talking more about Moses and this verse came to mind, so I had the children write this one down. :)
So the account of Moses goes that when he was the prince of Egypt, he tried to seek "justice" for an abused Hebrew slave by murdering the Egyptian. Young, impulsive, wanting to take things into his own hands.
As a result, he had to flee from Egypt and God brought him into the wilderness of Paran and he became a shepherd.
I love to impress upon the children the work of a shepherd. One who is always on the alert for the well being of his flock, making sure none strays, none are injured, none are sick, tending to the ones that are sick to make sure they do not infect the others, giving special attention to pregnant ewes. The list is endless.
When God called Moses at the Burning Bush, it was a very different Moses who answered God! This Moses was afraid to confront Pharaoh, saying he had a stutter, and worried that his people the slaves will not believe him. Humbled and small.
God had to take his servant out and teach him, mold him to be the kind of servant who could be used to lead more than 2 million people out of Egypt to travel to Canaan. He made him a shepherd to hone his skills to make him acutely aware of other's needs, above his own. Indeed, the job of leading 2 million people was far harder than sheep because people can be even more stubborn and difficult!
How long did God's lesson take? 40 years.
I ask the children, what if God looked at the hard life that Moses was leading that He softened and took Moses out after 2 years of being a shepherd? I say he'd still be impulsive and foolhardy.
No no. Must not short cut the learning process. In our disciplining our children, do not short cut the learning process. Go the full way in order for the lesson to be learned effectively.
Proverbs 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
If you are in such a classroom of God right now, (caring for a difficult child? caring for your infirm and aged? being ill and in pain?) thank God! He's probably got wonderful things and bigger jobs planned for you! Just make sure you learn the lesson right and see His sure and loving hand in all of life's trials.
God bless you! :)
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
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